GP surgery in Shiney Row and Penshaw
Herrington Medical Centre
Philadelphia Lane, Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4LE
Scores 90 out of 100, excellent for a GP surgery in England. 88% of patients say their experience is good and 88% find it easy to get through on the phone (England: 77% and 57%). Inspectors rated it Outstanding in 2020. It is taking on new patients.
How the score breaks down
Each line is a score out of 100. The England average is 50 and higher is better. How it works
Getting an appointment 89
- Easy to get through on the phone92
- Easy to contact online72
- Good experience of getting in touch81
- Did not wait too long for the appointment79
Quality of care 89
- Patients rate the surgery as good81
- Patients got what they needed84
- Doctors and nurses listen67
- Patients trust the staff28
- Inspection rating (Outstanding)98
- Health checks and screening done51
- Meets NHS clinical targets89
- Children vaccinated on time96
What patients say
109 patients answered the 2026 NHS survey about this surgery.
88%
find the phone easy
well above the England average (57%)
88%
say their experience is good
well above the England average (77%)
+4
change since last year
2025: 84% · 2026: 88%
Getting in touch
The appointment
All survey questions, compared with England
| What patients said | This surgery | England | Last year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting in touch | |||
| Easy to get through by phone | 88% | 57% | 75% |
| Easy to contact via website | 67% | 58% | 43% |
| Easy to contact via NHS App | 85% | 54% | 53% |
| Reception staff helpful | 98% | 85% | 90% |
| Seeing the same person | |||
| Has a preferred clinician | 36% | 31% | 46% |
| Sees preferred clinician | 68% | 42% | 39% |
| What happened when they got in touch | |||
| Knew what would happen next | 89% | 84% | 82% |
| Next steps within 2 days | 98% | 93% | 97% |
| Good experience of contacting | 86% | 73% | 70% |
| The appointment | |||
| Offered a choice of time or day | 78% | 57% | 58% |
| Waiting time was about right | 81% | 69% | 49% |
| Remote appointment | 23% | 26% | 21% |
| The doctor or nurse | |||
| Good at listening | 91% | 87% | 94% |
| Treated with care and concern | 89% | 86% | 89% |
| Considered mental wellbeing | 82% | 75% | 78% |
| Had all the information needed | 97% | 92% | 95% |
| Confidence and trust | 90% | 93% | 87% |
| Involved in decisions | 87% | 92% | 87% |
| Needs were met | 96% | 90% | 88% |
| Overall | |||
| Overall experience good | 88% | 77% | 84% |
| Living with a long-term condition | |||
| Confident managing conditions | 87% | 79% | 87% |
| Supported by local services | 81% | 70% | 66% |
| Discussed managing condition | 41% | 43% | 37% |
| Agreed a care plan | 39% | 46% | 49% |
Green means at least 2 points better than England, red at least 2 points worse. With about 109 replies, a gap of a few points may just be chance.
What patients tell us
From people who use this surgery. Official data cannot tell you these things.
Tell us about this surgery
10 quick questions, one tap each, no sign-up. Your answers help the next person choosing a GP.
1 of 10Last time you needed a routine appointment, how long did you wait?
2 of 10When you last phoned, how long did it take to get through?
3 of 10How did you book your last appointment?
4 of 10Can you usually see the same GP?
5 of 10Was your last appointment on time?
6 of 10Are the reception staff helpful?
7 of 10Did the doctor or nurse listen to you?
8 of 10How easy is it to get a repeat prescription?
9 of 10Is parking easy?
10 of 10Would you recommend this surgery?
Thank you. Your answers are counted.
Reviews
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Write a review
Opening times and contact
| Monday | 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm |
| Tuesday | 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm |
| Wednesday | 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm |
| Thursday | 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Confirmed by the surgery on 18 April 2017. Bank holidays may differ.
- Address
- Philadelphia Lane, Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4LE
- Phone
- 0191 584 2632
- Online
- Book, order repeat prescriptions and see records in the NHS App
- Works with
- Coalfields PCN (a group of local surgeries that share services)
- NHS code
- A89009 · NHS profile
Access and facilities
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet
- Induction loop
- Step-free access
- Wheelchair access
- Car parking
- Disabled parking
Pins show each surgery's score. Get directions
Inspection rating
By the Care Quality Commission, the NHS regulator
Outstanding
overall, from the inspection published 14 April 2020
This rating is 6 years old. The CQC has not published a newer inspection.
The five questions inspectors ask
| Is it safe? | Good |
| Is it effective? | Good |
| Is it caring? | Outstanding |
| Is it responsive? | Outstanding |
| Is it well-led? | Outstanding |
About the patients
NHS records for the people registered here
Common health conditions
| Condition | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | 16.6% | 15.2% |
| Diabetes | 8.3% | 7.9% |
| Asthma | 6.8% | 6.6% |
| COPD | 2.4% | 1.9% |
| Coronary heart disease | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Depression | 17.8% | 14.3% |
| Obesity | 19.3% | 13.9% |
| Smoking | 11.4% | 13.5% |
Health checks done
| Check | Here | England |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical screening, women 25-49 | 80% | 67% |
| Cervical screening, women 50-64 | 79% | 75% |
| Blood pressure controlled (hypertension, under 80) | 72% | 68% |
| Blood pressure checked in last 5 years (45+) | 91% | 87% |
| Diabetes: blood pressure on target | 81% | 75% |
| Diabetes: blood sugar (HbA1c) on target | 55% | 57% |
| Diabetes: annual foot check | 52% | 78% |
| Asthma: annual review | 58% | 66% |
Other surgeries nearby
| Surgery | Distance | Score | Easy by phone | Rated good | New patients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herrington Medical Centrethis surgery | – | 90 | 88% | 88% | Yes |
| Westbourne Medical GroupHoughton Le Spring, DH4 4RW | 0.5 miles | 83 | 81% | 85% | Yes |
| Grangewood SurgeryHoughton Le Spring, DH4 4RB | 0.6 miles | 76 | 86% | 85% | Yes |
| Kepier Medical PracticeHoughton Le Spring, DH4 5EQ | 1.4 miles | 79 | 76% | 86% | Yes |
| Houghton Medical Group,Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4DN | 1.8 miles | 87 | 72% | 89% | Yes |
| I J HealthcareWashington, NE38 9AB | 2.2 miles | 68 | 86% | 80% | Yes |
| Rickleton Medical CentreWashington, NE38 9EH | 2.7 miles | 92 | 90% | 94% | Yes |
| Happy House SurgerySunderland, SR3 4BY | 2.8 miles | 84 | 87% | 88% | Yes |
| The Broadway Medical PracticeSunderland, SR3 4HG | 3.0 miles | 83 | 88% | 86% | Yes |
| Springwell Medical GroupSunderland, SR3 4HG | 3.0 miles | 89 | 69% | 93% | Yes |
Common questions
Is Herrington Medical Centre taking on new patients?
Yes. When we last checked its page on the NHS website (20 September 2026), Herrington Medical Centre was taking on new patients. You can register online through the NHS website or call the surgery on 0191 584 2632.
How do patients rate Herrington Medical Centre?
In the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, 88% of patients at Herrington Medical Centre said their overall experience was good. The England average is 77%. 88% found it easy to get through by phone (England 57%). Its GPScore is 90 out of 100, grade A, which puts it in the top 20% of GP surgeries in England.
What is the inspection rating for Herrington Medical Centre?
The Care Quality Commission, which inspects GP surgeries in England, rated Herrington Medical Centre as Outstanding at its last published inspection (report published 14 April 2020).
What are the opening times of Herrington Medical Centre?
Reception is open Monday 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm, Tuesday 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm, Wednesday 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm, Thursday 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm, Friday 8:30am to noon 1:30pm to 6pm, Saturday closed, Sunday closed. The surgery last confirmed these times on 18 April 2017. Bank holidays may differ.
How do I contact Herrington Medical Centre?
Call 0191 584 2632. You can also book and order repeat prescriptions in the NHS App. The address is Philadelphia Lane, Houghton Le Spring, DH4 4LE.
How many patients are registered at Herrington Medical Centre?
Around 9,588 patients are registered (January 2025). The surgery is part of Coalfields PCN, a group of local surgeries that share staff and services, in the North East and North Cumbria NHS area.
Where this comes from: the 2026 NHS GP Patient Survey, Care Quality Commission ratings, NHS records of patients, conditions, checks and vaccinations (published through OHID Fingertips), and this surgery's page on the NHS website (checked 20 September 2026). Read how the score is worked out. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.